o pinion
Jorge Martínez, Newman, CA
The Wheel of Time D
Trump está haciendo peligrar la democracia y dividiendo el país. A medida que se incrementa la mortandad por causa del Covid-19, regresan reminiscencias de la guerra y el ruido de las balas. Los oscuros momentos que cobraron vida tras la ejecución pública de George Floyd por la policía no se habían visto en los EEUU en décadas. Cuando las protestas se hacen sentir por toda la nación Trump busca invocar el Decreto contra la Insurrección y ordenar a nuestras Fuerzas Armadas aplastar la rebelión. Una idea que ha disgustado a muchos de los ex-colaboradores de Trump e incluso ha sido desechada por su Secretario de Defensa. Tildando a los manifestantes de ‘terroristas’ y a las demostraciones de ‘insurrecciones’ la Casa Blanca quiere silenciarlos por la fuerza de las armas. La vanguardia de Trump consta de policías predominantemente blancos criados en una sociedad racista, y acostumbrados a la brutalidad. Demasiados de estos policías se resisten a modificar sus tácticas y creen que la fuerza es siempre la mejor solución. Trump usa a blancos para subyugar a los negros y le llama “dominar” en el nombre del orden y la ley. Puede que él triunfe en estallar la guerra racial que Charles Manson solo intentó. En lugar de buscar un consenso fomenta una división y odio racial. Bajo su gestión la nación podría tornarse anti-blanca y anti-policía debido a continued on next page los homicidios y el
onald J. Trump has become an international symbol of racism. Not since May 5, 1963 —when Birmingham Commissioner of Public Safety T. E. “Bull” Connor used attack dogs and fire hoses in Kelly Ingram Park against students demanding civil rights— has this country seen such an abuse of power as the one used to disperse protestors in front of the White House recently. Not since May 4, 1970 —when National Guardsmen fired into a crowd of white students at Ohio’s Kent State University— have white Americans protested with such vigor. The public execution of George Floyd by a bigoted white cop, who glared at cameras while ignoring pleas for mercy, scarred our soul, no less than the unknown number of imprisoned, tortured, and lynched, black and brown men by a racist justice system. White America has grown accustomed to police brutality and silently glared and smirked as thousands have been murdered. After lynching and Native American massacres, nothing is as oppressive as the use of armed troops to quell dissent. Even while serving in foreign countries surrounded by enemies, I never felt compelled to quell civilian dissent via murder. I never envisioned myself gassing, or beating Latinos fighting for the same privileges empowered Americans have always enjoyed. My repugnance of the President’s bully-like practices would exceed even the bitterness I would feel over being forced to betray an oath that I once took. The wheel of time has turned and we once again find ourselves fighting for equality and against injustice. We continue to suffer from the conditions of a racist society, condoned by White America. As a young man, thousands like myself joined the military seeking a better future. In spite of a bad economy, many of today’s generation refuse to join because of a flag-hugging bigot. Trump is endangering democracy and dividing the country. As the death count increases under Covid-19, memories of war, screaming men and sounds of gunfire also return. Dark moments sparked by the public execution of George Floyd by police have re-ignited an America unseen for decades. As nationwide protests
rattle the country Trump seeks to invoke the Insurrection Act and order our Armed Forces to squash the rebellion. The idea has repulsed many of Trump’s former collaborators and been dismissed even by his Secretary of Defense. Calling protestors ‘terrorists’ and demonstrations ‘riots’ the White House would silence them via the force of arms. Trump’s front line is predominately white policemen raised in a racist society and accustomed to brutality. Too many of these cops refuse to adjust their tactics and believe force is always the best solution. Trump is using white men to squash black men and calling it “dominating” in the name of law and order. He may succeed in sparking the race war Charlie Manson only attempted. Instead of seeking compromise he is encouraging racial divide and hatred. Under his watch the nation could become anti-white and anti-cop because of the murders and support of the sick Cop Culture that grew out of the Rodney King disaster. Trump’s misreading of America indicates —once more— his serious disconnect, proven by the protests in the face of continued threats of reprisal. Trump should learn that denial of peaceful protest just sparks more violent ones. And abuse nurtures dissent. More than 31 percent of National Guard and 43 percent of active duty troops are minorities. Trump’s unjustified call for the use of troops reflects a white supremacist attitude that he believes empowers him to squash debate and end protests by force. Trump no longer even feigns being a nice guy, or pretending not to want to be king. With Bill Barr, Mitch McConnell and other Republicans, there is little prospect of acceptable compromise. Although it may be too much to expect spineless Republicans to take a stand against tyranny, it is time for governors to refuse permission for troops to leave their state? It is time for active duty soldiers who took an oath to defend the Constitution to refuse to obey unconstitutional orders? Someone at the White House should remember the Irish Americans who deserted the American Army and fought on the side of Mexico during the Mexican American War 1846-48 did so because of continued prejudice. Regrettably, the struggles of the 1960-70s proves former advocates continúa a la vuelta JUNE 2020 Joaquín 19
